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Highlights
- World View Enterprises is developing a balloon-based system to carry people to the stratosphere.
- Passengers will float above the stratosphere on Spaceship Neptune.
- company is planning to charge US$68,585 per person and is currently accepting US$686 deposits.
US based near-space exploration and technology firm World View Enterprises has said that it is developing a balloon-based system to carry people to the stratosphere. Its first commercial flights targeted towards early 2024, the company said.
A World View representative said that all the passengers will be able to see the curvature of earth, but the overall experience will last for only five days. The typical ride will last from six to eight hours where the passengers will be taken to an altitude of at least 100,000 feet or 30,000 meters.
The company’s President and CEO Ryan Hartman said that World View is redefining space tourism where the passengers will spend hours at apogee building memories around the planet’s most magnificent wonders.
World View is aiming to change the overall experience of space tourism which is not just a joyride but also bigger than that, he said.
This week, the Florida-based company has started accepting reservations for its space voyage. The passengers will float above the stratosphere on Spaceship Neptune, which is a balloon-borne pressurised capsule.
Representative Image Source: © Jirsak | Megapixl.com, image desc- Earth view from space
Passengers will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of their surroundings and can also click pictures through the spaceship’s non-glare windows. Amenities include reclining sears, onboard bathrooms, wi-fi and a fully stocked bar.
When fully inflated, the balloon itself grows to the size of a football stadium that can ascend as high as 20 miles above the ground, according to Space Perspective. The spacecraft also has a backup parachute to ensure safe landing, in case of any kind of emergency.
For one, the company is planning to charge US$68,585 per person, which is noticeably lower than other civilian space tourism, as per the company.
In a statement, the company said that it will provide flexible financing options for the customers and is currently accepting US$686 deposits as the US$68,585 price tag is like purchasing a very expensive car.
The cost of one single seat is around US$1,000 or the passenger can reserve a full eight-seat craft for US$8,000. Moreover, the six-hour trip is designed to be low impact that doesn’t require the passengers to undergo some special trainings, the company said.
World View passed a major milestone earlier this month with successful completion of uncrewed test flight of its Neptune One test vehicle. It is a full-sized Spaceship Neptune simulator.
Although the company hasn’t confirmed the exact amount of ticket sale, however, World View’s co-CEO – Jane Poynter said that the response has been outstanding.